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Muskmelon (Cucumis melo) is a species of melon that has been developed into many cultivated varieties. These include smooth skinned varieties such as honeydew, crenshaw and casaba, and different netted cultivars (cantaloupe, Persian melon and Santa Claus or Christmas melon). The Armenian cucumber is also a variety of muskmelon, but its shape, taste, and culinary uses more closely resemble those of a cucumber. The large number of cultivars in this species approaches that found in wild cabbage, though morphological variation is not as extensive. It is a fruit of a type called pepo. Muskmelon is native to Iran, Anatolia, Armenia, and adjacent areas on the west and the east which is believed to be their center of origin and development, with a secondary center including the northwest provinces of India and Afghanistan. Although truly wild forms of C. melo have not been found, several related wild species have been noted in those regions.
Genetics
Muskmelons are monoecious plants. They do not cross with watermelon, cucumber, pumpkin, or squash, but varieties within the species intercross frequently.[1] The genome of Cucumis melo L. was first sequenced in 2012
Nutrition
Cantaloupe melons are an excellent source of vitamin A and vitamin C, and a good source of potassium.
In addition to their consumption when fresh, melons are sometimes dried. Other varieties are cooked, or grown for their seeds, which are processed to produce melon oil. Still other varieties are grown only for their pleasant fragrance.[4] The Japanese liqueurMidori is flavored with muskmelon.
wisegeek
A muskmelon is a cultivar of Cucumis melo. Muskmelons are incredibly varied, running the gamut from cantaloupes to casaba melons. They are often readily available from the late summer to the early fall in the market, and they can also be grown at home, if you have some space in the garden. In some regions, muskmelons are so ubiquitous that people simply call them “melons,” which can be a bit confusing.
Archaeological evidence suggests that the muskmelon originated in Persia. Muskmelons were extensively cultivated by the Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians, as well as throughout the Middle East, and several cultivars are hundreds of years old. These melons develop a rich, musky scent as they ripen, and when handled and grown well, they will have sweet, flavorful flesh. Many people enjoy muskmelons out of hand, but they can also be pureed and made into smoothies and sorbets, or paired with foods like prosciutto, honey, or yogurt.
There are two basic categories of muskmelons: netted and smooth. The archetypal example of the netted muskmelon is the cantaloupe, which has a classic fibrous net over its rind. Persianmelons are another well known netted variety. Honeydew and casaba melons fall into the smooth-skinned category. Numerous other muskmelon cultivars are probably available at your market in season, depending on regional tastes.
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